Dedication makes Ian a royal champ

SYDNEY'S Royal Easter Show is one of the largest single events in Australia, and this year the Clarence Valley will be especially highlighted with Waterview Heights man Ian McGaw selected to be a Show Champion by organisers.

Mr McGaw, a lifetime member of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and member of the Royal Easter Show committee, has been a familiar face at the event for the past 56 years, the last 32 of which he has been overseen the Northern Section Agricultural Exhibits which feature many entries from Clarence Valley producers.

As part of the event, each year the society selects a small group of exhibitors, entertainers and participants from across regional NSW who embody the spirit of the event to be Show champions.

For his dedication spanning over half a decade, Mr McGaw was one of those chosen this year.

“I think it's a real privilege,” he said.

“It's more or less an ambassadorial role to promote agriculture.”

Mr McGaw, who also helps out in the farm produce section in the Grafton Show every year, said there was always a strong showing from Clarence Valley producers at the Royal Easter Show but said entries may be a little down this year due to the unusually wet start to the season.

Even still, he said he still looked forward to seeing what was on offer and said he loved being involved in the event.

“It's good. You get to meet up with old friends and so on,” he said.

“So the fellowship down there is great, but by the same token, before the show opens we're fairly competitive too,” he chuckled.